International SBC Consultant, Individual Contractor

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential from early childhood through adolescence. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development to its staff. UNICEF prides itself on a culture of inclusivity and diversity, ensuring that everyone can belong and grow within the organization. The organization is known for its attractive compensation and benefits package, and it emphasizes the importance of immunization as a fundamental right for every child.

Job Overview:
The position of International SBC Consultant involves developing a National Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) Strategy for the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in Liberia. The consultant will conduct a desk review and situational analysis to understand the behavioral determinants affecting immunization uptake. The role requires the development of a comprehensive SBC Strategy that includes key messages, tools, and activities aimed at improving immunization rates. The consultant will also be responsible for pre-testing and validating the strategy through stakeholder workshops and community-level consultations, as well as creating a monitoring and evaluation framework to track progress and adapt interventions as necessary. This position is crucial for enhancing immunization efforts at the national, county, and community levels, ensuring that the strategy is grounded in the Socio-Ecological Model (SEM) and addresses barriers to immunization effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's duties will include conducting a thorough desk review of existing immunization policies, coordination mechanisms, and partnerships at the national level. At the county level, the consultant will identify barriers to immunization messaging and service delivery. Community-level assessments will focus on understanding community perceptions, trust in vaccines, and the engagement of local leaders and health workers. Key activities will involve stakeholder consultations through focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs), organizing workshops to co-create the SBC strategy, drafting the SBC Strategy and toolbox, developing a costed implementation plan, and conducting validation workshops with stakeholders to finalize the strategy. The consultant will also be responsible for reporting and presenting findings to key stakeholders in the nutrition sector.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree (master’s or higher) in public health, communication, behavioral science, or a related field. A minimum of 8-10 years of experience in designing and implementing SBC strategies, particularly in immunization or health programs, is required. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in stakeholder engagement, community mobilization, and monitoring and evaluation for behavior change interventions. Familiarity with the Liberian health system and EPI context is highly desirable. Strong analytical and report-writing skills, as well as the ability to facilitate workshops and training, are essential competencies for this role.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced degree, such as a master's degree or higher, in relevant fields such as public health, communication, or behavioral science. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the complexities of health communication and behavior change strategies, particularly in the context of immunization programs.

Experience:
The position requires significant experience, specifically a minimum of 8-10 years in the field of social and behavior change communication. Candidates should have experience in designing and implementing strategies that effectively address health issues, particularly in immunization. Proven experience in engaging with stakeholders, mobilizing communities, and conducting monitoring and evaluation for behavior change interventions is essential. Familiarity with the local health system and context in Liberia will be a significant advantage.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is mandatory for this position. Strong communication skills in English are essential for drafting reports, facilitating workshops, and engaging with stakeholders. Additional language skills may be beneficial but are not specified as mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for a total of 60 working days, which includes both remote and in-country work. The consultant will be expected to use their own ICT equipment for the assignment. The role will be supervised by the Social and Behavior Change Specialist in coordination with the PMEI Specialist. Applicants are required to submit a technical proposal outlining their understanding of the task, a recently updated CV, and a financial proposal that includes all costs associated with the consultancy. UNICEF emphasizes its commitment to child safeguarding and diversity, ensuring that all selected candidates undergo rigorous background checks and adhere to the organization's core values.